Platelet Rich Plasma

In this article, we discuss the use of Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis, also known as PRP Knee Injections.

Some research is now moving away from trying to prove or not prove Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy is effective for knee osteoarthritis. Now research is more trying to explain how PRP works and move forward with treatment guidelines from there.

A new study acknowledges that Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) contains high concentrations of autologous (from you) growth factors that can repair the knee. Further they found that PRP may also provide the lubrication needed to protect the cartilage. The study researchers summarized that intra-articular injections of PRP have the potential to relieve the symptoms of osteoarthritis in the knee and that there is an influence on superficial zone protein (SZP) which is a boundary lubricant in articular cartilage and plays an important role in reducing friction and wear and therefore is critical in cartilage regeneration.

Further, bovine cartilage explants (injection) were found to be influenced by PRP’s ability to stimulate natural knee lubricants. They concluded that PRP significantly stimulates cell proliferation and SZP secretion by articular cartilage and synovium of the human knee joint.(1)

In other words PRP is acting like hyaluronic acid, except it is healing and regenerating the knee which hyaluronic acid is not designed to do.

When treating the knee, our medical team utilizes a Comprehensive Prolotherapy injection technique, which may include a combination of healing factors. PRP is commonly used in conjunction with Dextrose Prolotherapy and Stem Cell Therapy. If stem cells are used, they would be drawn from the patient and then re-injected into the knee to stimulate tissue regrowth, such as in instances of knee osteoarthritis. This is to ensure that a more thorough treatment is given to the weakened area, versus a one-shot PRP approach.

PRP and Osteoarthritis of the Knee

Dextrose Prolotherapy alone has been shown to improve the quality of life in patients with knee osteoarthritis, “suggesting that Prolotherapy may have a pain-specific disease-modifying effect.”(2) With the addition of PRP, the results are even more remarkable.

The PRP affects repair of the damaged cartilage, and the Dextrose Prolotherapy strengthens the supportive structures such as the weakened ligaments and tendons that most likely led to the cartilage degeneration in the first place. The goal of this type of Comprehensive Prolotherapy treatment is to repair the entire knee.

While Platelet Rich Plasma therapy is a very promising regenerative treatment, it must be utilized by physicians who are experienced in its use. Some physicians may use PRP as a single dose treatment rather than as part of a comprehensive treatment program. Used this way PRP may not be as effective. For this reason , some researchers see the components, healing mechanisms, and outcomes of PRP as challenging, and though the treatment has reparative functions in osteoarthritis of the knee even with the single dose usage, they would like to see a standardized protocol.(3)

More Than One PRP Injection Needed

Testing whether or not Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) provides symptomatic relief in early knee osteoarthritis in athletes, researchers looked at 78 patients with bilateral knee osteoarthritis. The patients were then divided randomly into three groups.

Group A (52 knees) received a single injection of PRP

Group B (50 knees) received 2 injections of PRP 3 weeks apart

Group C (46 knees) received a single injection of normal saline

The three groups were compared with each other and no improvement was noted in group C as compared with groups A and B.

The next part is interesting: there was no difference between groups A and B, which means that a single dose of PRP is as effective as two injections to alleviate symptoms in early knee osteoarthritis. The results, however, deteriorate after six months. Both groups treated with PRP had better results than did the group injected with saline only.

Other than the fact that the PRP was found effective at alleviating symptoms of osteoarthritis in the knee is the subsequent findings. Two PRP injections were no more effective than one and that the results deteriorated after six months.(4)

Now these findings are somewhat in agreement with other recent research that suggests a single dose of PRP worked very well for a six-month time period but the results deteriorated.(5)

Can PRP Prolotherapy Help the Patient Who Has Already Undergone Knee Surgery?

Yes, PRP is effective at decreasing pain and improving symptoms and quality of life in patients with chronic knee pain after surgery. Surgery entails cutting and the removal of structures. The knee joint requires these structures for cushion and stability and proper functioning. Without them, knee instability occurs. Knee ligament instability is the main cause of knee pain before and after a total knee replacement. “Instability of the knee is one of the most common causes of failure in knee arthroplasty,” because of “intraoperative injuries or excessive release of important coronal stabilizers such as the medial collateral ligament.”(6) Another researcher reports, “Ligament instability is the primary reason for revision total knee arthroplasty.”(7)

PRP Prolotherapy strengthens the weakened ligaments and tendons that are causing instability and stabilizes the knee. PRP Prolotherapy helps the body repair the weakened structures and tissue so the knee can function optimally.

The information contained in this article is for information and education purposes only and is not medical advice. Do not use this information as an alternative to obtaining medical advice from your physician or other professional healthcare provider. Always consult with your physician or other professional healthcare provider about any medical conditions you are experiencing. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, contact your local emergency services for help.